MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Farris, King

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISS SARAH GILLESPIE OF HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, FOR BEING THE RECIPIENT OF THE ARTS PATRON AWARD OF THE 2000 GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS.

WHEREAS, Miss Sarah Gillespie, a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the recipient of the Arts Patron Award category of the 2000 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts sponsored by the Mississippi Arts Commission and hosted by Governor and Mrs. Musgrove, in ceremonies to be held March 17, 2000; and

WHEREAS, Miss Sarah Gillespie, a graduate of Sophie Newcomb College, has many interests including conservation of historic buildings, feature writing, gardening and nature conservation; but, her interest in regional art is her passion; she has been a patron of the arts, especially the visual arts, in Mississippi for 56 years. As a patron she has encouraged the individual artist, while also making Mississippi art and arts education available to the public; and

WHEREAS, Miss Gillespie began collecting works of established Mississippi artists including Marie Hull, Karl Wolfe, William Hollingsworth and Walter Anderson, in 1943. She didn't limit her devotion to merely collecting art; she became involved with the artists. She became their friend, visiting them, corresponding with them and encouraging them to continue with their work; as these artists matured, so did Miss Gillespie's collection, which today illustrates the growth of many artists throughout their careers.

WHEREAS, over the years, Miss Gillespie has extended her collection to include the work of those she describes as "talented new artists with potential." Once again her patronage extended beyond purchases to include visits to the artist's studios and personal encouragement. Miss Gillespie's collection now includes more than 350 works by 20th Century Mississippi artists. During the past 20 years, she donated a substantial number of pieces to William Carey College, helped establish the Lucile Parker Gallery on the college's Hattiesburg campus, endowed a chair in art at the college and occasionally lent other works for display at the college; and

WHEREAS, Miss Gillespie recently decided to extend her patronage by underwriting the renovation of a building on William Carey's Gulf Coast campus to serve as a permanent gallery, thus making her entire collection accessible to the public. The Sarah Gillespie Gallery on the William Carey College Gulf Coast campus is now displaying selections from her collection and was officially dedicated on September 21, 1999. Overlooking the Gulf, the new Sarah Gillespie Gallery offers a beautiful space of exhibitions, storage and reception areas. The gallery is an integral part of the college's art department, providing a special location for student exhibit. This is the place where young artists will first display their artwork on the way to a promising career; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this individual who has donated so much to the arts and thereby brought honor to her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Miss Sarah Gillespie of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for being the Recipient of the Arts Patron Award category of the 2000 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts, and wish her success in her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Miss Gillespie in appropriate ceremonies and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.